Earlier today on Bellshill Salvation Army Band’s Facebook page I shared some devotions. I’d like to share those devotions with you tonight.
After the despair and grief of Friday, we arise today to celebrate that Christ is alive!
For Jesus’ friends and disciples, it must have been hard to comprehend that he was alive again after seeing him hanging on a cross just a few days earlier. Jesus had predicted he would come back to life again, but I’m sure they were still shocked when they heard Jesus was alive again.
Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be frightened!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified, but he isn’t here! For he has come back to life again, just as he said he would.
Matthew 28:5-6 (Living Bible)
Having discovered Christ was alive, the disciples travelled to met with Jesus as he had instructed them to do. When the disciples met with Jesus, the message he gave them was one which is just as important to us today, as it was to the disciples that day.
Then Jesus came close to them and said, “All authority of the universe has been given to me. Now wherever you go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And teach them to faithfully follow all that I have commanded you. And never forget that I am with you every day, even to the completion of this age.”
Matthew 28:18-19 (The Passion Translation)
Jesus instructed the disciples to be share His message of love to the world. He reminded them to never forget that He would always be with them. That message is just as relevant to us today as it was to the disciples all those years ago. We are called to carry out those instructions too, to change our lives and the lives of those we meet by telling them of God’s love for them.
How can we ignore those instructions from the One who conquered death? We can’t, so start today by joining us as we ‘Hail the Risen Lord!’
See, what a morning, gloriously bright, With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem; Folded the grave-clothes, tomb filled with light, As the angels announce, "Christ is risen!" See God's salvation plan, Wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in sacrifice, Fulfilled in Christ, the Man, For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead! See Mary weeping, "Where is He laid?" As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb; Hears a voice speaking, calling her name; It's the Master, the Lord raised to life again! The voice that spans the years, Speaking life, stirring hope, bringing peace to us, Will sound till He appears, For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead! One with the Father, Ancient of Days, Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty. Honour and blessing, glory and praise To the King crowned with pow'r and authority! And we are raised with Him, Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered; And we shall reign with Him, For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!
The Distinct Dot 